EarnIn app review — a new payday loan alternative?

What is the EarnIn card?

The EarnIn card is a Visa debit card that lets you access your earnings and spend up to $1,500 immediately. Unlike transfers to a linked bank account, the EarnIn Card isn’t limited to $150 a day. To qualify for the EarnIn card, you need to receive a qualifying direct deposit of $500 into your account every two weeks. The EarnIn card is compatible with Google Pay and Apple Pay.

What makes EarnIn shine?

EarnIn shines for its high Cash Out limits compared to competing cash advance apps. With EarnIn, you can borrow up to $750 per pay period — higher than Brigit’s limit of $250 or Dave’s maximum of $500. There are also no mandatory monthly fees to use EarnIn, which could save you $9.99 a month or more. All this makes it a completely free and cost-effective way to cash out your wages before payday — as long as you’re willing to wait one to two business days for regular transfers.

If you want instant transfers, EarnIn’s Lightning Speed fees apply. However, the app shines here as well, charging much lower fees than many other apps. For example, if you have an EarnIn card, instant transfers over $200 cost just $4.99, which is lower than what other apps may charge — which can be as high as $15 to $25 with the Dave app. EarnIn’s Lighting Speed fees are also much cheaper than what payday loans charge, which is typically $10 to $15 per $100 borrowed.

And while the app has a tipping feature, you’re not required to leave one. Not leaving a tip does not impact how much you can borrow, and if you accidentally leave a tip, you have up to 30 days to request a refund.

Where EarnIn falls short

Probably the least appealing aspect of EarnIn is that it needs to verify your wages to determine your eligibility to borrow. This may include uploading your timesheets, allowing GPS access while at your job or providing your work email. While this may feel intrusive, EarnIn’s other benefits may outweigh this, including its no-cost paycheck advances, no monthly fees and no tipping required.

And while EarnIn allows eligible users to borrow up to $750 per pay period, there is a $150 per day transfer limit to bank accounts. If you want to borrow more than $150 at a time and save on instant transfer fees at the same time, you’ll need to get an EarnIn card — which requires you to earn at least $500 every two weeks.

EarnIn loan details

Minimum credit score/credit range	No minimum credit score required
APR	0% APR for regular transfers 17.34%–216.17% APR for Lightning Speed transfers
Borrowing amounts	Up to $750 per pay period total $150 per day to a bank account $150+ per day to an EarnIn card
Repayment terms	Advances are due on your next payday
Turnaround time	Regular transfers: 1–2 business days Instant transfers: 30 minutes or less
Application process	No application but will need to connect bank account
Costs	Free to use
Availability	Most states

How to qualify for EarnIn

To qualify for EarnIn, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be employed and have a regular direct deposit pay schedule that is weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly or monthly.
• Earn a minimum of $320 each pay period.
• Have either a fixed work location or an employer-provided email address.
• Primary residence must be in the US (includes US territories).
• You must be at least 18 years old and have a US bank account.
• You must have a valid US mobile phone number.

How to apply

To apply with the EarnIn app, you can follow these general steps:

1. Install the app. Download the EarnIn app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and install it on your mobile device.
2. Create an account. Create a new account using your email address.
3. Verify your employer. After setting up your account, add information about your employer and paycheck information.
4. Connect a bank account. Link your checking account to the app. This allows EarnIn to transfer your Cash Outs and deduct your Cash Outs from future paychecks.
5. Wait for bank verification. Once your bank is linked, you may need to wait for EarnIn to verify your earnings and work hours.
6. Request a withdrawal. After your account is verified, you can request up to $150 until you establish a direct deposit history (about two weeks). After that, you can potentially request up to $750 per pay period, depending on your eligibility.
7. Open an EarnIn card (optional). If you wish to Cash Out more than $150 per day (up to $750 per pay period), consider opening an EarnIn card.

Keep in mind that EarnIn has specific eligibility requirements, such as a regular pay schedule and direct deposits. Be sure you meet these requirements before applying with the EarnIn app.

How EarnIn compares to other lenders

Select your state of residence to see available lenders in your area. Explore your options by maximum amount per pay period, turnaround time and costs, or choose the Go to site button for more information about a particular lender.

EarnIn reviews and complaints

BBB accredited	Yes
BBB rating	A-
BBB customer reviews	2.66 out of 5 stars, based on 311 customer reviews
BBB customer complaints	510 customer complaints
Trustpilot Score	1.5 out of 5 stars, based on 35 customer reviews
App Store Score	4.7 out of 5 stars, based on 210,100 customer reviews
Google Play Score	4.4 out of 5 stars, based on 178,655 customer reviews
Customer reviews verified as of	22 January 2024

The EarnIn app earns overwhelmingly high ratings on Google Play and the App Store, but a fair number of recent reviews have been negative. Some users report problems with Cash Out limits being reduced and repayments being taken out of bank accounts before the user’s paycheck has arrived.

Several hundred complaints have also been registered on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, with some related to payments being taken out too early. To its credit, EarnIn’s customer service team took the time to read the complaints and respond to each user, offering to rectify the issues.

EarnIn has hundreds of thousands of reviews on Google Play and the App Store. Happy users mention the lack of subscription fees as a plus, as well as the app’s Balance Shield feature, which can prevent overdrafts with notifications and instant transfers to your bank account via the Lightning Speed service.

Is EarnIn legit?

Yes, EarnIn is legit. Formerly known as Activehours, EarnIn is a financial services company located in Palo Alto, California, that offers cash-out services and free credit monitoring. It was founded in 2012 and launched its app in May 2014. It’s powered by Evolve Bank & Trust, an FDIC member.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to use EarnIn?

EarnIn is completely free to use. It doesn’t charge monthly subscription fees, and tipping is strictly optional. However, instant transfers, aka “Lightning Speed” transfers, attract a fee.

How much do EarnIn’s instant transfers cost?

EarnIn’s instant transfers, also known as Lightning Speed transfers, cost between $1.99 and $4.99, depending on the amount cashed out. Your first transfer is free, however.

Can I get EarnIn transfers on weekends and holidays?

Yes, EarnIn’s website states that Lightning Speed transfers work on weekends and holidays. However, it also states some transfers may be delayed, so it’s not an ironclad guarantee.

What are the requirements for EarnIn?

To qualify for EarnIn, you need to have regular full- or part-time employment and a minimum qualifying direct deposit of at least $320 every pay period.

Do Social Security benefits work with EarnIn?

No, EarnIn does not count Social Security benefits as income. However, other cash advance apps, like MoneyLion, may accept Social Security benefits and other sources of income, including child support and alimony payments. Compare the best cash advance apps of 2024.